Tag



Jan' 16, 1962 R. E. KENNEDY ETAL 3,016,639

TAG

Filed June 29, 1959 3,016,639 TAG Richard E. Kennedy, 1349 W. Rosemont, Ave., Chi- Filed .lune 29, 1959, Ser. No. 823,589 3 Claims. (Cl. 40-25) This invention relates to a reversible tag adapted to be pinned to upholstered furniture and similar merchandise that is often left on display for a short While in a store where it can be seen by prospective customers after the mechandise has been sold.

When articles of furniture are sold the salesman may simply mark the word Sold on the price tag to prevent later prospective purchasers from picking out articles that are no longer available. This system is simple, but is not satisfactory because the marking is not always legible from a distance. Often a prospective customer decides to buy a certain article only to find that the particular article has already been sold and that no more are available. The effect of such situations on customer relationships is obviously undesirable.

In many stores where it is impossible to move such `articles immediately after they are sold, the salesman marks each article he sells with a special tag that has the word Sold printed thereon. This system is generally followed because heretofore no better system has been devised. The separate tag system is expensive because of the extra tags required and takes some of the salesmans time because he cant normally carry such tags around with him.

In accordance with the present invention a pin comprising a single, straight penetrating element, and a securing element extending at right angles to said penetrating element, is secured to the tag at its upper edge in such a manner that the tag may be pivotally moved about the longitudinal axis of the securing element as a pivot, but cannot be moved in any other direction relative to said securing element. The tag bears the usual information as to price, size, materials, etc. on one surface, called the front for convenience, and the word Sold conspicuously displayed on the back.

The tag is applied to an article of upholstered furniture or similar merchandise by sticking the penetrating element into the fabric with the front surface of the tag exposed. As soon as the particular article is sold the salesman lifts the tag pivotally about the axis of the securing element until the tag is in the plane of the penetrating element, rotates the tag, and the pin through 18() degrees, and then allows the tag to drop back against the fabric with the back of the tag exposed. The conspicuous display of the Word Sold avoids the possibility that explanations or excuses as to the non-availability of the particular article will have to be made thereafter to any prospective customer who happens to see the article and decides to buy it without notice that it has already been sold.

The tag also provides for convenient and efficient inventory and delivery control. The tag may be laterally perforated so as to provide separable upper and lower tag portions. Each portion of the tag may be marked with delivery and inventory data. Then, when the merchandise to which the tag is attached is sold, the free end may be removed and utilized for oiee purposes while the upper portion of the tag remains affixed to the mechandise.

The structure by means of which the above-mentioned and other advantages are attained will be fully described in the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which there are shown two preferred illustrative embodiments of the invention, and in which:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of an article of furniture having attached thereto -a tag embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a tag embodying this invention;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the tag shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view of a tag with a modied form of attaching pin in position to be pivotally secured thereto;

FIGURE 5 is a detail perspective view of the strip adapted to be adhered to the tag of FIGURE 4 for pivotally securing the pin to the tag; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the tag of FIGURES 4 and 5 assembled for use.

Referring to FIGURES 2 and 3 of the drawings, the reference numeral 2 indicates a tag of cardboard or similar material having an integral flap 3 extending from its upper edge. The flap is folded along a line 4 coinciding with the upper edge of the tag and is provided with an aperture 5 disposed centrally of fold line 4 to receive a pin 6.

The pin 6 in this embodiment of the invention is a single length of wire which is bent intermediate its length to provide a securing element or arm 7 disposed adjacent and parallel to fold line 4 within the fold, and a penetrating element or arm S that extends through the aperture 5. The elements 7 and 8 of the mounting pin preferably extend at right angles to each other so that when the flap 3 is folded into juxtaposition with one face of tag 2 and adhered thereto with securing element 7 confined within the bight of the fold, the penetrating element S will project directly outwardly from the top edge of the tag and through the aperture 5. The adhesive used to secure the ap in place is applied sufficiently close to the fold line to hold the securing element in place in the bight portion of the fold and prevent accidental separation of the pin from the tag.

The front of the tag bears the information relative to price, stock number, size, materials, purchaser, etc. that is usually marked on such tags, and the back carries the Word Sold in conspicuous fashion. lf the tag is of the type that has perforations so that a portion thereof may be torn olf for inventory and/ or delivery control, or for any other reason, the Word Sold is printed on the portion of the tag that is left on the article sold.

In use, the tag is secured to an article 9' of upholstered furniture by sticking penetrating element 3 into the fabric with the front face of the tag exposed. It is impractical to remove each article of furniture from the floor as it is sold, because every removal would disrupt regular business. With the tag of the present invention, however, a salesman making a sale merely flips over the tag on each article sold by lifting the bottom end of the tag into the plane of penetrating element S, rotating the tag and pin degrees about the longitudinal axis of penetrating element 8, and then dropping the tag against the fabric. Rotation of the tag through 18() degrees leaves the word Sold exposed in conspicuous fashion, and any subsequent viewer will immediately know that the particular article has been sold.

If the tag is perforated, as at 2a, the salesman may mark and remove the lower portion 2b and attach the same to his sales slip for inventory and/ or delivery control purposes.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURES 46 is constructed of a tag lll, a T-shaped pin 1l, and a folded flap or strip 12 of cardboard, cloth, paper, or any other suitable material. Tag 1li has a straight edge portion 13 at its upper end where the pin 11 ifs secured. The pin 11 is T-shaped and includes a securing element or leg u 14 in the form of;` a cross bar and a penetrating element or leg 15 extending perpendicularly from the center of the securing element.

The flap or strip 12 is folded `along a `fold line 16 to provide two diverging flaps 17 and 18, and is provided with a central aperture 19 to receive the penetrating elemeut 15 which is inserted through aperture 19 until secur ing element 14 is located against the bight of fold 16. When the top edge 13 of the tag is disposed between the flaps 17 and 18 and against securing element 14, the flaps y17 and 18 `are secured to opposite surfaces of tag it, in any suitable manner, preferably adhesively, with top edge portion 13 holding pin lli against the fold of strip 12.

The tags 2 and 1t? are manipulated in the same manner and certain of the parts thereof are interchangeable. That is, either form of tag body and fastening means may be used with either form of pin.

Although we have described two preferred embodiments of the invention in detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is intended to be illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details of construction may be modied or changed Without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

We claim:

l. In combination, a reversible tag, a pin securing flap secured to said tag adjacent to one edge thereof, and a pin having one pair of substantially perpendicular elements including a securing element pivotally held between said tag and said pin securing ap and a penetrating element extending Ibeyond said flap and said edge of said tag,

saidap having an aperture therein at the edge of said tag, said penetrating element of said pin extending through said aperture, and said pin being substantially T-shaped.

2. A reversible tag comprising a tag body having a straight edge portion, a T-shaped pin having a cross bar adjacent said straight edge portion and a penetrating element perpendicular to said cross bar, and a folded strip having an aperture through which said penetrating element extends, said folded strip having aps secured to both surfaces of said tag body adjacent to said straight edge portion to pivotally secure said cross bar between said tag body at said edge thereof and said folded strip.

3. In combination, a reversible tag, a pin securing flap secured to said tag adjacent to one edge thereof, and a pin having one pair of substantially perpendicular elements including a securing element pivotally held between said tag and said pin securing flap and a penetrating element extending beyond said 'ap and said edge of said tag, said flap having an aperture therein intermediate the length of said ap at the edge of said tag, said penetrating element of said pin extending through said aperture, and said pin being substantially I -shap-ed.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 172,054 Russell Ian. ll, 1876 768,064 Merrill Aug. 23, 1964 1,631,954 Behrman lune 14, 1927 

